New Orleans: The Garden District

After having spent our first two days mainly exploring the French Quarter, by day three we were excited to experience a different part of the city. That morning we took a guided tour of the Garden District — I highly recommend Two Chicks Walking Tours! The homes and history of the neighborhood were both fascinating, I especially loved all the details in the architecture.

Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District

After our tour we stopped for lunch at District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew. My glazed donut was delicious, and I had a great salad and green juice as well! The rest of our afternoon was spent exploring the stores along Magazine Street. We later realized that we had spent most of our time walking the wrong direction, the main shopping was a few blocks in the opposite direction, but having spent all morning walking we didn't spend too much time shopping anyway. One of our favorite finds was Century Girl Vintage. 

Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District

One of the most interesting parts of our tour was visiting a historic cemetery. This particular cemetery mostly was utilized by the working class. Our guide even showed us where he will be buried someday, his family has lived in New Orleans for generations. He also spent some time "debunking" some of the ghost tour stories we had heard the night before, but I got the impression actual history was sometimes just as unbelievable. 

Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: The Garden District

That evening we spent a few hours relaxing back at our Airbnb before heading to The Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter for dinner. If you find yourself in New Orleans don't miss the Garden District. Just walking around could have entertained me all day, and there are so many shops it would be hard to pop into them all. Be on the lookout for one last recap from our trip later this week! (We spent our last day at Oak Alley Plantation outside the city.)


New Orleans: French Quarter

Happy Friday, friends! Last week I went on a quick spring break trip to New Orleans with my family. I have never been to Louisiana before so I was especially excited to check off visiting a new state. Just 17 to go! Our first evening and first full day were both spent exploring the French Quarter. We stayed in a lovely Airbnb outside of the main hustle and bustle, and loved having a real home to come back to each night. I haven't had the opportunity to spend very much time in the South, and I really enjoyed experiencing the food and culture! 

Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter

Our first meal was at the Napoleon House. I tried my first Po' Boy there (which was delicious) and also really loved my Satsuma Pimm's Cup. Since it was St. Patrick's day we were able to see all the craziness on Bourbon Street before heading to Preservation Hall for a jazz performance. It was amazing. I definitely recommend getting tickets in advance so that you can have a seat, rather than standing in the back — it was one of the most memorable parts of our trip. (I even got a saxophone charm to add to my charm bracelet.) After that we headed back to the house to get some sleep. 

Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter

The next morning we got up and headed to get beignets. We originally planned on going to Cafe Du Monde, but the line was so long we headed to New Orleans Famous Beignets & Coffee instead (which in my opinion was just as delicious!). After that we walked all around Jackson Square, did some shopping, and then ate at the Oceana Grill for lunch. After a little more sight-seeing we then headed back to the house to rest before going on a ghost tour. Although a bit silly, I had a lot of fun listening to the stories. We loved exploring the French Quarter, it was the prefect introduction to New Orleans! 

Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter
Letters Are Lovely | New Orleans: French Quarter

February Around The Web

Hello, friends! February has just flown by. Between a busy season at work, Valentine's Day, my birthday, and time spent in Kansas City this month was full of time spent with family and friends. This month was also full of quite a lot of online inspiration. My absolute favorite was We Are Scout's interview with Liz Payne about her Liz Payne x Gorman collaboration. The patterns and details in her collection are stunning. Maybe they ship to the US?? Here are a few other links that caught my attention: 

Until next month, enjoy! 


Valparaíso, Chile

And just like that it's February! This last recap from Chile may have been my favorite to put together. I had so many photos to choose from — Valparaíso was unlike any city I have been to. If you plan on visiting, anticipate the hills! The city is filled with funicular lifts to take tourists and locals alike up particularly steep hills. 

Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile

We stayed in Cerro Alegre at Hotel Casa Higueras which had a wonderful view of the bay as well as a restaurant where we ate both evenings of our stay. My absolute favorite part of our time here was all the art. Valparaíso is filled with art galleries and shops and we came home with lots of souvenirs. 

Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile

Our last full day was spent relaxing by the pool in denial that we would be heading back to Winter weather in KC. After one last delicious dinner it was time to pack up before our long day of traveling home. I think two weeks in Chile was the perfect amount to time to see a huge variety of things, but also short enough that I hope we will be able to go back someday! We didn't get a chance to visit the desert in the North, and I know my Dad would love a chance to visit with his host family again. And I hope you've found some travel inspiration of your own, too! 

Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile
Letters Are Lovely | Valparaiso, Chile

January Around The Web

Happy Monday, friends! This month has been tough. After returning from Chile I spent several weeks dealing with health issues and a chaotic time of year at work — alongside the general chaotic nature of current political events. That said, I'm very grateful to be feeling much better now. This month has given me a renewed sense of energy to take care of myself. A January highlight has been seeing many of the Valentine's Day cards I created for Hallmark in stores. Work chaos sometimes leads to wonderful opportunities and I think that this is definitely one of those times. I'm really excited to see how the work I am creating now develops. It's always motivating to see cards come to life on shelf. Now for a few favorites around the web: 

Here's to a healthier February,
hopefully filled with some winter sunshine!